The fake cop who pretended to be an officer to rob an elderly woman in a Monroe County fraud scheme has been identified by officials.
Detective Robert Blair, with assistance from the public, presented the case to Monroe County Prosecutor Jeffrey Yorkey, who authorized an arrest warrant for Juan Romero from Berwyn, Illinois.
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The fraud incident occurred on Tuesday (Oct. 17) in Summerfield Township when the elderly woman was contacted by phone by Romero, who identified himself as James Marcus with the Dundee Police Department.
Officials said Romero told the victim that her grandson was involved in a fatal traffic accident and that he’d been arrested and needed bail money.
The victim, being confused about the situation, went to the bank and withdrew money to bail her grandson out of jail.
Police say Romero arrived at the elderly woman’s home and collected the so-called bail money while being captured on her Ring doorbell camera.
The victim later contacted her grandson after the transaction and discovered that he was never involved in a traffic crash.
Officials say Romero has received a two-count warrant for false pretenses $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
Anyone with information on the case or the whereabouts of Romero is asked to contact Det. Robert Blair 734-240-7274 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up.
All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online.
